Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel agreed to terms on Monday on a two-year deal for $20 million with the Minnesota Vikings, according to his agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Mathan. The deal includes $14 million guaranteed. Van Ginkel heads to Minnesota after five years in Miami, where he recorded a total of 250 tackles (156 solo) and 17 sacks in 73 games played (42 starts). He had 69 tackles (42 solo), a career-high six sacks, eight tackles for loss, 19 QB hits, an interception returned for a touchdown, eight passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 17 regular-season games (11 starts) in 2023. While not exactly on the IDP fantasy radar entering the 2024 campaign, Van Ginkel should definitely have a starting role in his new digs next season.
Andrew Van Ginkel Primed For Big Game From Defensive Line
Miami Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is likely to see dozens of snaps lined up as defensive end against a sack-prone Washington Commanders team in Week 13. Van Ginkel has been a dynamic player who has split time between outside linebacker and inside linebacker. He made four sacks as a defensive end earlier this season when starting DE Jaelan Phillips missed time. Phillips (Achilles) was placed on the IR last week, so Van Ginkel will likely return to the defensive line. He routinely lined up for over 40 snaps from the line and as many as 61 during Phillips' earlier absence. Rushing the Commanders from the line will give him a lot of sack opportunities against the team that is allowing the second-most sacks this season.
The Miami Dolphins are re-signing linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday. Van Ginkel has started 31 of the 56 games he's played in for the Dolphins over the last four years, and he decided to return to South Beach after taking a free-agent visit with the division-rival New England Patriots last week. He also had talks with the Las Vegas Raiders. A fifth-rounder in 2019, Van Ginkel lost his starting outside linebacker role after the Dolphins acquired Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos last year, but he still contributed on defense and finished with 47 tackles, one interception and half a sack. The 27-year-old has 181 tackles (23 for loss), 11 sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles in his NFL career, and he will provide valuable linebacker depth for Miami.
Free-agent linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is visiting with the New England Patriots on Thursday, according to a source. Van Ginkel had 47 tackles (24 solo), half a sack, four QB hits and an interception in 17 regular season games (five starts) in his fourth season for the Miami Dolphins in 2022. The 27-year-old is also a big special teams contributor, so he should be a nice fit for the Patriots. The former fifth-round selection by the Dolphins in 2019 has 181 tackles (114 solo), 11 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 38 QB hits, one interception, 13 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) in his four NFL seasons with Miami.
